Three arrested at Extinction Rebellion protest

Protest organisers have escaped hefty fines after staging a rally in the heart of Melbourne, while sticking to health restrictions.

Extinction Rebellion stopped traffic in small groups, with only three activists arrested and fined, after they deliberately didn't follow police orders.

"I put it to you that our action today is safer than a trip to Chadstone shopping centre," organiser Brad Homewood said.

Protesters stopped traffic in short bursts outside state parliament, Flinders Street Station, and the Queen Victoria market.

They called for climate concerns to be front of mind as the world recovers from COVID-19.

"All we're asking is the government listens to the experts on climate warning and takes that seriously, so that we can act appropriately and responsibly," protestor Laresa Kolsoff said.

Unlike previous Extinction Rebellion protests, this one has included no marching or surprise blockades.

Instead, supporters had to register their interest and were allocated a protest area to ensure crowd numbers could be managed.

Nonetheless, three people were fined $330 apiece after refusing to obey police instructions on Bourke Street.